How To: Create Classic Waves with Pin Curls [Video]

Just in time for red-carpet season, we teamed up with Ojon’s lead stylist Gwynne Mims to score classic Hollywood pin curls. Channel your inner pinup and follow these easy steps to get the look.

What You Need

Bobby Pins

Sectioning Clips

Blow Dryer (with a nozzle)

1-2” curling iron

Round Brush (boar bristle brush)

Step 1: Prep with Product

Dry hair about 70 percent then add three or four small drops of your hair serum by rubbing it into hands and working through hair for an even distribution.

Pro Tip: For thicker hair try a product that packs a little more punch like this one.

Step 2: Create Pin Curls

For texture and body, blow dry 1-inch sections of hair with a 2-3 inch round brush. (For a tighter curl try a brush with a smaller barrel.) Roll the hair up with your brush and allow it to set for a minute, then gently remove the brush and wrap the hair around your fingers starting at the base.

Take your pin curl clip and pin the newly wrapped curl against the scalp. Continue to blow dry, roll, and pin curls into sections.

Pro Tip: Set hair on a horizontal to achieve maximum volume. Set it vertically for more of a cascading wave.

Step 3: Cool It Down

Once all the hair is rolled into sections, wait for the hair to cool and set. Use your
hands as a gauge. By the time hair feels cool to the touch, the curls are ready to be
taken down!

Pro tip: If you are in a hurry take your blow dryer on medium speed and lightly dry while pressing the back of the curls with your hand.

Step 4: Brush and Style

Take away pins and reinforce any not-yet-perfect waves with a small barrel curling
iron. Then give curls one more spritz with a workable hairspray and gently brush
out the curls.

Finish off the look by parting your hair and tucking one side behind your ears, securing with bobby pins for a retro-glam look.